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ADELAIDE - Armed with a pace battery as deep and diverse as any, not to mention Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan cricket team marked their Australian arrival today by declaring they were ready to beat the home side.
Captain Mahela Jayawardene struck a confident note at his first press conference of the tour, pointing out that his team were arguably more settled than the Australian test 11, who this summer must find a way to replace Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
Recently appointed coach, Trevor Bayliss, was confident in singing the praises of the Sri Lankan fast men, who offer a range of new ball options the envy of many sides.
The class and experience of left-armer Chaminda Vaas, the speed of Lasith Malinga and the bustling deliveries of Dilhara Fernando have made a distinct impression on Bayliss since his arrival in August to replace Tom Moody.
"I think the pace bowling attack is extremely strong, they showed that in the last one day series against England, four good pace bowlers and I think the conditions out here will suit them," Bayliss said.
"Brisbane (will suit the pacemen), and Hobart, as Tasmania showed last season played four pace bowlers at Bellerive the whole season, so that could be conducive to good pace bowling as well."
Jayawardene said his men could rightfully claim an edge in bowling experience over their opponents, who will rely heavily on Brett Lee and the still newish Stuart Clark for stability at the bowling crease.
Stuart MacGill, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait are all likely to figure as well, but none have been frontline selections until now, previously requiring injuries or suspension to stake their claims.
"I think with Glenn and Shane not being there they probably lack a bit of experience in their bowling attack, that is an area we can look forward to," Jayawardene said.
Retirements aside, the task of confronting Australia at home remains the most vexing assignment in world cricket.
Not since the 1993 West Indians have any side succeeded in flying home from Australia with a test series victory, although South Africa (1994), New Zealand (2001) and India (2004) have managed to share the spoils.
Acknowledging this, Jayawardene said an Australian tour tested every aspect of the visiting side.
"They've still got a very good side, we have to challenge them in bowling, batting, fielding and mentally be very tough under different conditions. We have to be very strong to beat them in different situations in the matches," he said.
"It's not just one area but if you are to beat Australia in Australia you have to play your best game possible."
Although they have never won a test match in Australia, one source of confidence for the Sri Lankans is their recent record of success in limited overs series down under.
In 2006 they made the finals of the tri-series and even managed to win the first final, an experience that Jayawardene looked fondly on.
"The last few occasions we were here for the one dayers we've proved we can handle pace and bounce, against quality opposition, and it's a good testing ground for us," he said.
"We've competed really well in the last 18 months away from home, we've beaten New Zealand in New Zealand, England in England, so this is another place for us to challenge ourselves."
Sri Lanka's first warmup match is against a Cricket Australia chairman's 11 starting at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
- AAP
